Key Facts
• Konica Minolta advances digital transformation (DX) in production at subsidiary factory DMC-MIKAWA, Aichi Prefecture.
• Uses digital manufacturing combining automation, ICT, and data science.
• Magnetic function roller production involves 50+ control factors; previously 80% yield relying on skilled workers.
• Developed mathematical model linking past production and quality data to predict quality changes.
• Model tested numerous conditions rapidly, optimizing for maximum yield.
• Yield improved to 95–98%, reducing condition adjustment time.
• Inventory management time for disposal decisions cut by 90% via integrated data and rule-based judgments.
• Data science efforts yielded cumulative loss reduction of 900 million yen.
• DX technologies proven at DMC-MIKAWA to be deployed globally across Konica Minolta production sites.
• Two DX promotion patterns: “100 people’s first step” (broad IT literacy) and “one expert’s hundred steps” (specialized teams).
• Since 2015, global back-office staff halved; production procurement staff reduced to 70%.
• Goal by 2025: 70% of business staff skilled in low-code/no-code tools for autonomous DX initiatives.
Summary
Konica Minolta is accelerating its production digital transformation (DX) by integrating automation, ICT, and data science at its DMC-MIKAWA subsidiary factory. By replacing reliance on skilled technicians with a mathematical model that predicts quality outcomes from production conditions, the company raised the yield of magnetic function rollers from 80% to nearly 100%. This approach also shortened adjustment times. Additionally, inventory disposal decisions were streamlined, cutting processing time by 90% through data integration and rule-based automation. These DX successes, which have generated 900 million yen in cumulative loss reductions, are being expanded globally to enhance production competitiveness. Konica Minolta promotes DX via two approaches: broad IT literacy development among many employees and expert-led specialized teams. Since 2015, the company has halved global back-office personnel and reduced production procurement staff by 30%. By 2025, it aims for 70% of business staff to be proficient in low-code/no-code tools, enabling frontline-led DX initiatives and increasing specialized talent.
